Naissus

   Birthplace of Constantine I (q.v.), and strategic road junction in the Balkan Peninsula (q.v.) where the Naissus to Thessalonike road intersected with the Belgrade to Constantinople (qq.v.) highway, and with other roads. Its strategic location made it a target of invaders. It was destroyed by the Huns (q.v.) in 441, rebuilt by Justinian I (q.v.), then ravaged by the Avars (qq.v.). The medieval city (called Nish) changed hands several times between Byzantium, Bulgaria, and Serbia (qq.v.). The Ottomans (q.v.) sacked it twice (1386, 1428), but they were ejected by John Hunyadi (q.v.) in 1444. The Ottomans reconquered it in 1456.